Abstract

The surface antigens of Paramecium tetraurelia are specified by a family of 11 genes. The main purpose of this project is to discover the molecular mechanisms involved in the genetic, cytoplasmic and environmental control of these genes. We believe that such information will help contribute to one of the major problems of biology and basic medicine today--how gene expression is controlled in eukaryotes. The study involves cloning the genes and their mutants in order to compare their structure in the expressed and non-expressed states. Neighboring chromosomal regions will be included in the study. Genes which differ in stability of expression will be characterized genetically and molecularly in a search for clues to the sites primarily responsible for whether the genes are turned off or on. Cytoplasmic transfers will be made by microinjection in order to find cytoplasmic regulator molecules whose existence has been inferred from genetic work. Attempts will also be made to identify the regulator molecules by their postulated capacity to bind to the cloned genes. Finally, an attempt will be made to associate directly the cloned genes with their products.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM031745-05
Application #
3280020
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Project Start
1983-04-01
Project End
1988-12-31
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1988-12-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Indiana University Bloomington
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
006046700
City
Bloomington
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47402

  Publications

Martin, L D; Pollack, S; Preer Jr, J R et al. (1994) DNA sequence requirements for the regulation of immobilization antigen A expression in Paramecium tetraurelia. Dev Genet 15:443-51
Kim, C S; Preer Jr, J R; Polisky, B (1994) Identification of DNA segments capable of rescuing a non-mendelian mutant in paramecium. Genetics 136:1325-8
Steele, C J; Barkocy-Gallagher, G A; Preer, L B et al. (1994) Developmentally excised sequences in micronuclear DNA of Paramecium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 91:2255-9
Preer Jr, J R (1993) Nonconventional genetic systems. Perspect Biol Med 36:395-419
Kim, C S; Preer Jr, J R; Polisky, B (1992) Bacteriophage lambda DNA fragments replicate in the Paramecium macronucleus: absence of active copy number control. Dev Genet 13:97-102
Preer, L B; Hamilton, G; Preer Jr, J R (1992) Micronuclear DNA from Paramecium tetraurelia: serotype 51 A gene has internally eliminated sequences. J Protozool 39:678-82
Jessop-Murray, H; Martin, L D; Gilley, D et al. (1991) Permanent rescue of a non-Mendelian mutation of Paramecium by microinjection of specific DNA sequences. Genetics 129:727-34
Rudman, B; Preer, L B; Polisky, B et al. (1991) Mutants affecting processing of DNA in macronuclear development in paramecium. Genetics 129:47-56
Gilley, D; Rudman, B M; Preer Jr, J R et al. (1990) Multilevel regulation of surface antigen gene expression in Paramecium tetraurelia. Mol Cell Biol 10:1538-44
Preer Jr, J R (1989) Update on the molecular genetics of Paramecium. J Protozool 36:182-4

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